Bella

I came into the shelter as a returns on 13-Dec-2017, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- moving – no pets allowed.

Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.

Bella is at risk for behavioral reasons. Bella has resource guarding tendencies, and is also nervous or fearful in new environments and around both people and dogs who are new to her. Bella has been monitored for a mild intermittent cough the past couple of days, but we do not presently feel this is worriesome. Bella is otherwise a healthy dog.

Let’s get to know each other a bit more…

A volunteer writes: Bella is beautiful!! Redundant? Yes, but it’s worth saying twice, as she’s stunning. Her ears like calla lilies framing her beautiful face, her pink squishy nose you’ll want to boop, her head tilt when I make kissy sounds at her, her one blue/one hazel eye making soft eye contact and asking, do you love me? And this beauty is more than just skin deep, she’s beautiful inside as well, friendly affectionate, smart and loving. Bella is excited to meet new people, jumping up to say hello how do you do?, is “relaxed and respectful” with kids, and after some possible initial shyness with other dogs in playgroup, she solicits play. If we were in school, she’d be Miss Congeniality without a doubt! She’s a baby who needs love, positive reinforcement (aka lots of treats) for good behavior, a cozy bed, nutritious food, and more love. Our beauty will return it all tenfold as she’s ready to be your best friend forever and ever.

Details on my behavior are…

Upon intake, Bella was jumping up with a loose and wiggly body. Bella allowed all handling.

Basic Information:: Bella is an 8 month old female brown and white large breed dog that was adopted on 12/13/2017 at Animal Care Centers of NYC by previous owner. Bella was surrendered because she did not get along with the children at home. Bella has no injuries or health issues and has not been taken the the vet.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and 2 children

How is this dog around strangers?: Bella is described as very friendly around strangers. Bella is jumpy and playful around strangers.

How is this dog around children?: Bella briefly lived with a 10 month old child and a 6 year old child. Bella would growl if either child tried to take a toy away or approached to pet her. Bella would snatch away toys from the children’s hand and would growl if the children tried to play with her.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Bella has never been around other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: Bella has never been around cats.

Resource guarding:: Previous owner did not try to touch or move Bella’s food bowl. Bella growls when a treat or toy is taken from her.

Bite history:: Bella has never bitten or scratched another animal or person.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: very high

Other Notes:: Bella was not allowed on furniture and was not disturbed as she rested. Bella growled when previous owner tried to clean her face with a wet cloth.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Bella has no known medical issues.

For a New Family to Know: Bella is a friendly, affectionate, playful, excitable and independent dog. Bella loves to play fetch and likes to chew on bones and play with stuffed toys. Bella was kept as an indoors only dog and was fed Science Diet dry dog food. Bella is house trained and usually went potty outside on the grass. Bella knows some basic commands such as sit and stop. Bella was taken out for slow walks on the leash but she would pull very hard and would want to run. When walked off leash, Bella would run away and previous owner had to chase after her.

Date of intake:: 12/7/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (In home for 8 months)

Previously lived with:: An adult

Behavior toward strangers:: Very friendly

Behavior toward children:: Relaxed and respectful

Behavior toward dogs:: Unknown

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: Growls when treat or toys removed

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Bella is described as friendly and playful with a very high level of activity.

Other Notes:: Return profile 12/13/2017 Owner surrender Previously lived with: Adults, 3 children Behavior towards children: Growling, snapping, rough Other notes: Owner wet Bella with some water and she began growling and bared teeth; dragged 10 month old by hoodie.

Date of assessment:: 12/10/2017

Look:: 1. Dog leans forward or jumps up to lick the Assessor’s face with tail wagging, ears back and eyes averted.

Summary:: Bella quickly approached the assessor in the assessment room and jumped up in an attention seeking manner. Throughout the assessment, she jumped up socially. She allowed all handling and displayed no concerning behaviors.

Summary:: Bella was initially fearful when introduced to dogs in the care enter, though has displayed social, playful behavior once comfortable. Based on the observation made in our care, slow introductions are recommended between Bella and gently playful, respectful dogs.

Summary (1):: 12/8: When introduced off leash to a playful male dog, Bella offers correction for exuberant play and avoids interaction. When introduced to a group of younger puppies, she offers hard correction for them jumping up on her.

Summary (2):: 12/9: Bella is initially fearful and avoids the other dogs. She then warms up and begins to attempt to solicit play. 12/10: Bella continues to display this behavior.

Date of intake:: 12/7/2017

Summary:: Upon intake, Bella was jumping up with a loose and wiggly body. Bella allowed all handling.

Date of initial:: 12/9/2017

Summary:: Bella was social and allowed handling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Bella’s previous owner described her as having a high level of activity. She is a young, enthusiastic, social dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct her energy and enthusiasm.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Bella was initially timid in the shelter environment but has warmed up and become social with handlers while engaging outside the kennel. She tends to be cautious of novice items and people, but will engage, seek attention, and give affection once comfortable with or familiar with someone.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: New Hope Only: Based on the concerns with resource guarding displayed in both home environment and Bella’s propensity to quickly escalate when engaged with toy/treat items, we believe placement with a New Hope partner would be most beneficial at this time. We recommend an adult only home who can further assess her behavior in a more stable home environment. No children (under 13): Due to the concerns with resource guarding in addition to some noted handling sensitivity, we are recommending an adult only home at this time to best set Bella up for success.

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Bella jumps up a lot on people in a social manner. It is recommended that default behaviors such as “Leave it”, “Sit/Stay”, “Down” are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach her to control her impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Resource guarding: In both previous home environments, Bella’s previous owner note that she growls and snaps when food items or toys are approached. We recommend that Bella be left alone while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in her future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Bella’s mouth, and any time something is removed she should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games. Fearful: Bella has been noted to become easily startled (owner accidentally wet Bella in the home and was met with a growl/teeth bare). We recommend careful and appropriate management to prevent Bella from escalating to warning/threatening behavior.

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ADOPTED 12/10/17

Intake Date: 12/7/17 Intake Type: Owner Surrender

Medical Behavior: — Sex: Female Age: 8 months

Weight: — lbs

No medical information

Let’s get to know each other a bit more…

Basic Information: Bella is an 8 month old unaltered large breed dog that the owner got from a friend and has had since Bella was a few days old. The owner is surrendering due to his living situation at the moment. Bella’s last vet visit was two months ago for routine vaccines.

Previously lived with: 1 adult

How is this dog around strangers? Bella is described as very friendly around strangers.

How is this dog around children? Bella is relaxed and respectful around children.

How is this dog around other dogs? Bella has never been around other dogs.

How is this dog around cats? Bella has never been around cats.

Resource guarding: Bella is not bothered when her food is touched while she eats. Bella growls when a treat or toy is taken from her.

Bite history: Bella has never bitten or scratched another animal or person.

Housetrained: Yes

Energy level/descriptors: very high

Other Notes: Bella is not bothered when she is taken off furniture, restrained, disturbed while she sleeps, bathed, or when the doorbell rings. The owner never brushed Bella or trimmed her nails.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues? No

For a New Family to Know : Bella is described as friendly and playful. The owner’s favorite thing about Bella is that she is very loving. Bella’s favorite thing to do is to be around people. When the owner is home, Bella follows him around. Bella likes to play with squeaky toys. Bella plays tug. Bella has been kept mostly indoors. Bella sleeps in her crate. Bella is fed Puppy Chow dry food, 1 cup twice a day. When taken outside, Bella uses the dirt. Bella knows how to sit, stay, and come here on command. On a leash, Bella pulls lightly.

Behavior Notes: Upon intake, Bella was jumping up with a loose and wiggly body. Bella allowed all handling.

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Disgusting! Bella was just a puppy. She didn’t even live one year. How could you rob her of her whole life?!? 😡
Bella was a pretty puppy, now a beautiful fur angel in Heaven. Please know we tried baby girl. Run free sweetheart. You were loved very much and your little life mattered to all of us. 😢💔

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Help us keep our dogs safe, and keep our threads open to public comment, by encouraging interested parties to reach out to our HELP DESK. All other inquiries should be directed to the Contact Us at the bottom of the page.